Russia bombings spark Olympic concerns

ASSOCIATED PRESS

December 31, 2013 09:19 AM

A soldier guards the Volgograd main railway station in Volgograd, Russia early Monday, Dec. 30, 2013. A bomb blast tore through a trolleybus in the city of Volgograd on Monday morning, killing at least 10 people a day after a suicide bombing that killed at least 17 at the city's main railway station. Volgograd is about 650 kilometers (400 miles) northeast of Sochi, where the Olympics are to be held. (AP Photo/Denis Tyrin)AP

ASSOCIATED PRESS

December 31, 2013 09:19 AM

The suicide bombings in Russia serve as a chilling reminder of what the Winter Olympics represent to terrorists: A high-profile target with more than 2,500 athletes, some of them world-famous, waving the flags of nearly 90 nations.

So, while many Olympic leaders offered reassurance, some of those getting ready to compete in the Games spoke of a different reality. They know their security is never a sure thing.

"I am concerned," said U.S. speedskater Jilleanne Rookard. "I'm scared their security may be involved. I don't know if I necessarily trust their security forces. But they don't want a national embarrassment, either. I use that thought to relieve some of my worry. "

Indeed, the Russians vow the athletes will be safe, even though they will be competing in a city 300 miles away from the roots of an Islamist insurgency that has triggered security concerns for the Games, which start Feb. 7.

The country has spent a record $51 billion preparing for its first Winter Games and has promised to make the Games "the safest in Olympic history."

Olympic chief Alexander Zhukov said the bombings didn't spark a need for additional security measures because "everything necessary already has been done."